Icy Patches and Winter Advisories: A Cold Start for Charlotte

Morning: A Slick Start for Commuters

Thursday, February 5, 2026, begins on a frigid and potentially hazardous note for the Charlotte metropolitan area. Following a cold front that moved through the region overnight, the National Weather Service has maintained a Winter Weather Advisory for the Piedmont and parts of the surrounding central North Carolina area until 10:00 AM this morning. Early risers will step out into temperatures hovering right at the freezing mark, with current readings around 33°F feeling significantly colder due to a persistent wind chill that brings the 'feels like' temperature down to 25°F.

The primary concern during the morning hours is the risk of freezing rain and light snow transitioning out of the area. While heavy accumulation is not expected, even a trace amount of ice is enough to create dangerous travel conditions. Local officials are urging motorists to exercise extreme caution and watch for 'black ice' on bridges, overpasses, and elevated surfaces where moisture from overnight precipitation has refrozen. The chance of light snow or freezing drizzle remains at approximately 20% through the mid-morning hours before the system finally exits to the east.

Afternoon: Cloudy Skies and Bracing Temperatures

As the Winter Weather Advisory expires later this morning, the afternoon will see a gradual end to any lingering precipitation, though the cloud cover is expected to remain stubborn. The high for today is projected to reach approximately 44°F, though some meteorological models suggest it could struggle to break 40°F if the overcast conditions persist longer than anticipated. Despite the lack of heavy rain in the afternoon forecast, the air will remain damp with humidity levels staying high at around 76%.

Residents are advised to keep their heavy winter gear at the ready. While the mercury will rise slightly above freezing during the peak of the day, this relative warmth is short-lived. The region is entering a phase of significantly colder weather, and today represents the transition into a deeper winter chill that is expected to dominate the remainder of the week.

Evening: The Big Chill Settles In

By sunset, the skies over the Queen City are expected to turn partly cloudy, which will facilitate rapid radiational cooling. Temperatures will plunge quickly after dark, dropping back into the upper 20s by the late evening hours. Forecasted lows are expected to bottom out around 26°F overnight. Because moisture from the morning’s freezing drizzle may remain on untreated secondary roads and sidewalks, the threat of refreezing remains a concern for those traveling late at night.

Thursday’s Weather at a Glance

• Morning Conditions: Temperatures between 26°F and 32°F with localized freezing drizzle and ice potential.
• Afternoon High: Reaching 44°F under persistent cloudy skies.
• Evening Low: Dropping to 26°F with gradual clearing.
• Precipitation: 20% chance of light snow or ice before 10:00 AM; negligible chance thereafter.
• Active Alerts: Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 10:00 AM for freezing rain and black ice.

Charlotte residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and ensure that outdoor pets are brought into warm shelters as the city prepares for even colder temperatures arriving tomorrow.